Shipping crate



June 3, 1924'.

. A. w. LUHRS smrrms cmws Filed Jime 9, 192:

' I Y INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented June3, 1924. i

umrno sums-P TE T oer-Ice.

ALBERT wmoANn-immts, or NORTH BERGEN, NEw JERSEY, assrenoa 'ro METAL.

DIAGONALS OORIfORATION, OF NEW YOItK, N. Y A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SHIPPING- CRATE.

Application filed June 9,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known 'that I, ALBERT WEIGAND LUHRS, a citizen of the United States, residin in North Bergen, county of Hudson,

6 and tate of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1nSh1pping Crates, of which'the following 1s a specification. I

This invention relates to a shipping crate 1 and more particularly to a crate havmgan improved form of bracingfor increasing the strength of the crate. I

Shipping crates are generally made'up of framework of lumber. and are usually pro- 1 vided with sheathing in the form of slats or fillers to cover partially or completelythe faces of the cratefor the purpose of protectin the contents.

vHeretofore the crates have sometlmes been braced by means of a wooden strip or strips applied diagonally across one or more faces of the crate. But this method of bracing has never been in eneral practice for many reasons. In the %rst place, these wooden zb diagonals materially increased the weight of the crate, which increase resulted in greater cost of freightage or other transportation. The .were expensive both in cost of material an in the cost of labor necessary for fitting them to the crate andsawing them off so that their ends were flush 'with the crate surface.

In practical use, moreover, the crates so braced were unsatisfactory because the ends of the diagonals were liable to be pried loose while the crates were being handled, and they usually could not be stacked very satisfactorily because the braces, owing to their thickness, projected over the faces of the crate and thus. permitted the same .to rock during transit. I The present invention contemplates the provision of an improved mode of bracing for the crate, with the object of not only eliminating the difliculties brought about by the wooden braces above described, but also providing a far stronger, lighter and cheaper form of construction. 1

A good understanding of the invention may now be had from the following descrip- 1923. Serial in. 644,318.

tion, having. reference to the accompanying the side faces of crates raced in accordance j "with modificatlons of the present invention;-

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a corner of a crate braced 111 still a different manner;

Figures 5 and 6 are plan views of the faces of crates showing two ways in which the bracing and slats of the sheathing may be interlaced; and

Figure 7- illustrates an application of the bracing to elongated crates.

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts in each of the several views.

In each of the views the framework of the crate is shown as being made up of a number of frame members consisting of strips of wood or other suitable material, these members being fastened together in any suitable .manner approved in modern practice of crate construction.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figure 1, the two frame members 10 and 11 are fastened to the edges of two similar members 12 and 13, members 10 and 11 being spaced a short distance from the ends 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the members 12 and 13. This spacing provides room for fastening the frame members 18 and 19, 20 and 21 to the members 10, 11, 12 and 13. The corner of a crate constructed in thismanner is indicated in the lower partof Figure 1, from which it will be seen that each of the three wooden strips forming the edges defining thecorner is nailed to the other two strips. Good practice .in making these crates reuires that at least two nails be driven -t rough the fiat sides of one strip into the edges of the adjoining strip. These nails are indicated in the drawing by the dots 22.

Although Figure 1 illustrates. only one face of the crate, it will be understood that the other faces are made in a corresponding manner, as shown for'example, b Figures 2 and 8 WlllCll illustrate the side aces of. a corresponding framework.

It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the use of a crate havin the particular form of framework or corner construction illustrated in the drawing. but may be employed with other forms of construction known in the art of crate manufacture.

\Vith reference to Figure. 1, it will be observed that the framework therein illustrated is capable of resisting strains in a direction a. b or c, d, by virtue of the frame members 12 and 13, and in a direction a, d or b, c, by virtue of frame members 10 and 11. The framework, however, is not reenforced against diagonal strains, as for example in the direction a. c or b, (8, and it is this weakness in the framework construc-- tion which is cured by the present invention.

In the form of embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, a piece 24 of vsheet metal strapping is fastened to the serving to resist compressive stresses in the direction I), d.

The metal straps may be made from any suitable material and may be either annealed or unannealed steel, or they may be iron or other suitable metal. The width and thickness will depend, of course, upon the particular use for which they are intended. For example, for crates such as suitable for shipping furniture, strap ing three quarters of an inch Wide and fi teen thousandths of an inch thick is most advantageous. For crates intended for shipping heavy commodities, thicker and wider straps may well be employed.

The form of strapping illustrated in Figure 1 hasthe advantage that it requires only a single long nail at each end of the strap, this nail being driven throughfthe narrow side of the frame member. The

strapping, therefore, has the added advan-- maaa crate and that because of the use of more and shorter nails, it reduces the liability of splitting the lumber. On the other hand, it is somewhat more costly to apply, because it necessitates the driving of several nails instead of a single nail.

Figure 3 shows the right-hand side of a crate similar to Figure 1, and witha still different arrangement of reenforcing straps. The straps 31 are longer than the stra s 24, 27 of Figure 1, and in addition to ing nailed to the narrow edges of the frame members. they are extended and secured to the exposed or flat faces thereof, as indicated at 32. Each end of each strap, therefore, is fastened by use of a long nail 33 and of a plurality of short nails 33. This additional fastening of the straps increases still further the strength of the finished crate even though at slightly greater cost.

Figure 4 showsa corner of a crate braced in still another manner. The diagonal straps 34 in the present case are first nailed to the exposed flat faces of the frame members and are then passed across the ends of the members and over onto the side of an adjacent frame member; In this way, it is possible to fasten the straps in place by a still greater number of nails. This form of reenforcement is stronger than any of the other forms previously illustrated but is slightly more expensive to apply.

In the construction of Figure 4, the straps 34 may be continued from the one face of the crate and extended across an adjacent face. so that the operation of cutting a separate length of strap for each face is avoided. But in usual practice, I prefer to employ a separate length of strap for each face.

The sides of the crate may be left open, as shown in F igurcs 1, 2 and 3, or may be partially or entirely sheathed with a piece of veneer, ply-wood, corrugated strawboard, fibre board or other suitable material, either with or without the ,use of Wooden slats.

The crate may also be sheathed with lumber which partly or completely fills the open spaces in the framework.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate two ways in which the metal straps may be interlaced with the slats used in the sheathing. In Figure 5 metal straps 24 and' 27 are run underneath certain of the sheathing slats, namely and 36, and over other of the sheathing slats, namely 37. In Fi re 6; the

metal straps are carried outsi ed the sheathing slats 38 and 39, adjacent the frame members 18 and'19, and underneath the central sheathing slats 40.. By thus interlacing the sheathlng slats and the metal straps, it is possible to use lighter weight lumber in the sheathing and still afi'ord greater protection to the contents of the crate than could be obtained without the use of the straps, even if much heavier lumber were emplo ed. It is of course, obvious that the s owing of Figures 5 and 6 is merely illustrative of two of the many ways in which sheathing slats and reenforcing slats may be used on the crate. In certain instances, however, it may be advantageous to run underneath all of-the sheathing so as to reenforce all of the sheathing against externally applied thrusts.

'It is manifest that all sides of any particular crate need not be reenforced in the same manner, as it may be more convenient to use one type of reenforcement in one place and another type, or omit the reenforcement, in another part of the crate. In elongated crates such as illustrated in Figure 7, it may be found desirable to use a plurality of diagonals such as illustrated The metal straps may be fastened to the ient. One end of a strap may be fastened,

as indicated mom of the figures of the drawings, While the other end may be fastened, as indicated in any of the other figures. I

In practical operation, the straps may be .cut from a roll, as needed, or they may be provided already cut in'the proper length, and if desired, punched in various ways so that they may be easily applied. They have the advantage, therefore, over the wooden diagonals, that they require very little storage space, and the cost of, handling is reduced to a very low figure.

'Theapplication of the straps to the crate is a very simple operation in comparison to the application ,of wooden diagonals which have to be carefully sawed off to fit whereas the straps may be merely cut off with shears. In comparison to the wooden diagonals, moreover, the straps have the advantage that they brace the sheathing against external forces, which bracing is impractical in most cases if wooden diagonalsare employed. They have the fur- 'ther advantage that the thickness is practi bring about an increase in the crate dimensions, The present invention, therefore, has the advantage of securing more effective bracing of the crate than is possible by. wooden diagonals, at less cost of material, labor of application and transportation.- 1

Although I have herein shown and described certain specific forms of embodiment of the invention, it will be expressly understood that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of ,the invention, it being my intention to claim the same as broadly permit.

What I claim is: 1. In combination, a framework defining the edges of a crate and a plurality of metal said face and having theirends secured to the framework adjacent the diagonally opposite corners of the face.

as the state of the prior art'will 2. The combination according to claim 1,

in which the framework constituting the said face of thecrate comprises a plurality of strips of material forming. the o posite edges of the said face,'and in which combination said strips have theirnarrow edges exposed to said face, and in which said' straps are secured adjacent the ends of said strips by means of a single fastening member passing through said strap and into the narrow edge of the said strip.

3. Ina shipping crate, a framework for defining the'faces of the crate, at least' one of the faces being comprised of a plurality of oppositely dis osed strips of material having their fiat acesexposed to the face of the crate, and means for reenforcing the said face, saidmeans comprising a plurality of metal straps disposed diagonally across the said face and having their ends secured to the said flat faces of the said strips adjacent the diagonally opposite cor ners thereof.

4. In a shipping crate, a framework defining the faces of the crate, sheathing for at least one of the faces of the crate, and means for reenforcing said face of the crate and said sheathing, said means comprising a plurality of metallic straps disposed diagonally to said face and secured adjacent the opposite corners thereof.

5. The combination according to claim 4,

in which said sheathing is comprised of a plurality of strips of lumber and in which said straps are interlaced with said strips.

6. In a shipping crate, a frame defining theedges of one face of the crate, andapair of lengths of. metal stra ping, the straps crossing one another an the ends of the straps being fastened to diagonally opposite parts of the frame.

7. A shipping crate having a frame made out of a plurality of strips of lumber, two oppositestrips having faces in substantially the same plane, and metal straps crossing one another and fastened to diagonally opposite parts of said faces of said strips.

8. A shipping crate comprising frame members. and having diagonally disposed metallic tension members secured to opposite members of the frame.

9. A shipping crate made up of a plurality of strips of lumber fastened together to form a framework defining the edges of the crate, and diagonal braces in the form of -crossed strips of metal strapping fastened to the framework to reenforce it.

10. In combination, a pair of s acedapart boards whose fiat sides are nailed to the edges of asecond pair of spaced-apart boards to form a frame, and diagonal strap iron braces'for the frame, the ends of the braces being nailed to the boards of a pair. 11. Incombination, means constituting a face a shipping container, said means including material extending over an intermediate portion of said fare, and a plurality of metal straps secured diagonally across said face of the container to reinforce the same against diagonal strains, said straps being passed under said material to reinforce the same against inwardly directed thrusts. Y

12. In combination, means constituting a face of a shipping container, said means including material extending over an intermediate portion of said face, and a plurality of metal straps disposed diagonally across the said face of the container and secured thereto, said straps being sufficiently free to move with relation to each other at their point of intersection to permit of a slight resilient action of said face, and said straps being passed under said material to reinforce the same against inwardly directed thrusts.

13. In combination, means constituting a face of a ship ing container. said means comprising a p urality of strips of material united to each other to constitute the frame-work and sheathing of said face, and a plurality of metal straps, said straps being passe under certain of said strips to reinforce the same against inwardly directed thrusts and being secured diagonally across the framework to reinforce the same against diagonal strains and being sufiiciently free at their point of intersection to permit of a. slight yielding movement with relation to each other.

14. In combination, means constituting a' face of a shipping container, said means comprising a plurality of pieces of matenaeaooa frame-work and sheathing of said face, and a plurality of metal straps disposed diagonally across said framework and secured thereto, said straps bein constructed of thin yieldable material an being interlaced with said pieces of material.

15. In combination, means constituting a face of a shipping container, said means comprising a plurality of pieces of material united to each other to constitute the framework and sheathing of said face, and a plurality .of metal straps disposed diagonally across said framework and sheathing, but secured thereto only adjacent the corners of the face and free to move slightly with reference to each other at their point of intersection, said straps being passed under at least a portion of the sheathing material.

16- In a shipping crate, a framework defining the faces of the crate, sheathing for at least one of the faces of the crate and means for reinforcing said crate against diagonal strains and said sheathing against inwardly directed thrusts, said means comprising a plurality of metallic straps passed under at least part of said sheathing and disposed diagonally to said face and secured adjacent the opposite corners thereof.

17. A shipping crate comprising a frame for a face of the crate, said frame being composed of a. plurality of pairs of strips of lumber, said pairs being united at their ends, sheathing material secured to the frame to cover an intermediate portion thereof, said sheathing material being placed intermediate one of the pairs of strips and secured to the other of the pairs of strips, and a plurality of metal straps secured diagonally across said. face of the crate to reinforce the same against diagonal strains, said straps being passed under said sheathing material to reinforce said material against inwardly directed thrusts.

18. In combination, a pluralit of pairs of spaced-apart boards, the fiat sides of the first of said pairs being secured to the edges of the second of said pairs to form a frame, a plurality of metal straps disposed diagonally to said frame to reinforce the same against diagonal strains, sheathing material for said frame, said material being placed intermediate said first pair of boards and secured to 'the'edges of said second air of boards, and said diagonal straps avin their ends secured to the flat faces of sai first pair of boards and havin intermediate portions running under said sheathing material.

19. In a shipping crate, a framework defining the faces of'the crate, each face being comprised of a plurality of pairs of spaced-apart boards, the flat faces of one pair being secured to the edgesof the second pair, the framework being so arranged that each of said boards constitutes partof the framework of two adjacent faces of the crate, the flat face of each board bei used for one face of 'the crate and the e go of the board for the adjacent face thereof, sheathing for the faces of the crate, said sheathing comprising a plurality of slatssecured to the edges of said pairs of boards, and a 1Ylurality of metal straps disposed diagona the slats of the sheathing.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature to this specification. ALBERT WEIGAND LUHRS.

y to said faces and lnterlaced with 10 

